Richard J. Montbleau

HOLDEN – Richard J. Montbleau, 74, died Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester after a long illness. He was born in Lowell and lived there 39 years before moving to Holden for 35 years. He was the son of Leonard and Yvonne (Morency) Montbleau Sr. Dick served in the U.S. Navy and then worked as a business owner and entrepreneur in the Worcester area for most of his life before retiring in 2001. He served as an Honor Guard, Deputy Grand Knight, Grand Knight and Past Grand Night at the Knights of Columbus Council 4158 in Auburn, raising funds in support of special needs children. He was a member of St. George Church, the John E. Harkins American Legion Post 42 in Holden and served as Constable of Worcester County. Dick enjoyed playing cards, traveling to Florida for the winter and was an avid New England sports fan. He leaves his wife of 33 years, Joann (Hemenway) Montbleau; five children and three stepchildren, Robert Montbleau and his wife Tina and Steven Montbleau, all of Pelham, N.H., Debra Green and her husband Richard, Karen O’Beirne and her husband John, Linda Montbleau and her fiancé David Mendonca, all of Lowell, Scott Wolfe of Sutton; Steven Wolfe and his wife Colleen of Charlton, Sharon Bulak and her husband Mark of Holden; a brother, Ronald Montbleau and his wife Nancy of Lowell; 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves many friends including Charles and Madeline Corson of Skowhegan, Maine; and his former wife, Lucille Montbleau of Lowell, with whom he remained close. He was predeceased by a son, Richard P. Montbleau, and two brothers, Leonard “Butch” Montbleau Jr. and Robert Morency. Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Sunday, July 1, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. The funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Monday, July 2, at St. George Church, 38 Brattle St., Worcester, with burial in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the COPD Foundation, 2937 SW 27th Avenue, Suite 302, Miami, FL 33133. (milesfuneralhome.com)